Assembly Table / Hydraulic Lift

This is My assembly table I put together a while back, it is a torsion box design that I mated with a hydraulic lift cart purchased at Northern Tool Co. I don’t have a large area for assembling projects, so I wanted a table that could be maneuvered into different positions to make better use of the available floor space. I also liked the fact that I can raise and lower the table to multiple heights, useful when working on taller projects. The tables dimensions are 30”w x 54”L x 6”T . It can adjust from 16” to 40”+ in Hgt. I put locking casters on the cart and I can clamp the table to my workbench,making the table good and sturdy.This also creates a T-shaped work surface which comes in handy on many assembly tasks.The top has a removable Masonite surface with the one side being used for glue-ups (waxed)and one side used for prep work. the torsion box is constructed with MDF and trimmed in Red Oak. I sized the table to fit under My workbench when extra floor space is needed and I also can install My straight edge clamp with a miter rail creating a large (90) angle which is very useful for dry-fitting and squaring up projects during assembly. It has worked out perfectly for My needs and is very useful in other ways as well (i.e. outfeed table,transporting of projects to finishing area) I have had some inquiries on the table so I hope this sheds some Light on the subject and thanks for taking a look !! ROB

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17 comments so far

You will find it to be extremely useful. I did the same with a harbor freight lift cart I bought a couple of years ago. I have a 24” x 60” removable top on mine that fastens with lynch pins for stability and easy removal. I use it alot and it is a back saver.

I also have this lift and use it to lift big logs to my lathe and other lifting! very handy indeed, but I have not mounted a table top to it yet. I also find that it will slowly lower over a few days and wonder if I should add more hydraulic fluid to the jack that gives it lift. Thanks for posting!

Thanks Erwin for Taking a look and Yes,very useful in the shop ! Although not an expert on Hydraulics I do have some experience with using Hydra assisted tools at my work and it is typical of most HD tools to bleed down over time and adding oil is only necessary if low of coarse. One good practice in using HD tools/lifts is to unload the the ram (lower) when not in use. Leaving it loaded wares out the inner workings(seals) quicker ! So try lowering the lift when not in use, especially over night and see if that helps . ROB

I have been looking at a motorcycle lift table for my GoldWing but did not want to sacrifice the garage space. This answers the question of what to do with the lift when it doesn’t have the GoldWing on it.

@brianinpa – Owning a motorcycle myself I was originally looking at that style lift for the dual purpose You speak of, but couldn’t find one with in My budget ! I hope You are able to put one together and post it for us to see and its potential with in a garage shop setting ! Good luck.

Love the addition. Have had one of these for about 6 years and used it to lift and move items from back of my Durango and also to install/uninstall window air conditioners each year. Got to make a removable top like you did. Thanks for the inspiration.

Ken

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